Kamikaze Crows Attack OAP's House

A Gloucestershire pensioner has been forced to protect his home with netting after the property was targeted by kamikaze crows.

In a bid to avoid having to make any home insurance claims for the damage caused by the attacking crows, Ronald Milton has now installed netting to stop the "disturbing" events.

In what appeared to be a real life version of Hitchcock's The Birds, Mr Milton's home in Bisley Road, Stroud, was targeted by crows which kept flying into the windows.

Over a period of six months the birds would "fly up to the window then fly back crashing in to it", the 89-year-old said.

"It seems to be only my house, they are a nuisance and they make a mess on the windows," he added. "The netting doesn't seem to make any difference though."

Dr Colin Studholme of the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust said that the unusual behaviour could be a result of two things: "Sometimes birds fly into windows because they think they can fly straight through a house if they can see some light on the other side.

"Or the other possible option is that they can see their reflection in the window and they will attack it, particularly at this time of year when crows are mating and very territorial."

Homeowners Warned Over DIY Gas Work

CORGI, the gas safety body, has warned householders that they risk invalidating their home insurance if they tinker with their own electrics or gas appliances rather than using professional tradesmen.

Due to the credit crunch, 41.4% of consumers admitted they were more likely to try to do work themselves, but CORGI says it could also lead to an increase in fatalities as well as creating insurance problems. Only 15% of respondents said they would always use a professional tradesman.

The research, carried out for the Gas Safe Register, found that while 82% of those questioned considered it dangerous to fit a gas fire themselves, one in 10 were still prepared to do so.

Incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained gas appliances are a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and can also lead to gas leaks and explosions.

On average 25 people a year die from CO poisoning, while 40 people a year are killed or injured in gas explosions.

Ann Robinson, Gas Safe Register's director of public awareness, said: "If anyone thinks DIY gas work can save them money, they should think again. For the sake of a few pounds, they risk endangering the life of anyone who lives in that property."